Grand Valley State University’s football team hosted the Northern Michigan Wildcats in a game rain-filled game on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Lakers dominated the Wildcats with a final score of 49-17.
The Lakers opened up the scoring abruptly when sophomore Kellen Reed returned a 96-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff.
“It’s been five weeks, we’ve been waiting and working on that (the play) like crazy,” said head coach Scott Wooster. “I love that, (when) everybody’s contributing and starts (to) feed off each other.”
This seemed to really fire up the defense on the second play of the drive for Northern Michigan, as the Lakers forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Anthony Cardamone.
GVSU wasted little time to capitalize on this opportunity. On third and long, quarterback Avery Moore executed a perfectly designed draw play and juked the remaining safety to score. This extended the Lakers’ lead to 14-0, which remained the score to close out the first quarter.
If there is one thing that has been consistent for GVSU, it’s been that the team has started with all gas no breaks this season. The Lakers’ mighty defense has still not allowed a first quarter point all season long.
“It’s great preparation,” said Wooster. “The detail that (the scout team) prepared our defense with, we were executing all week long with that.”
The Wildcats were able to put together a solid drive and get to the Lakers’ 14-yard line. However, even though the GVSU defense bent, it did not break. GVSU was able to hold Northern Michigan to a field goal, bringing the score to 14-3.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the Lakers had two methodical scoring drives back-to-back. Between the two drives, the Lakers ran the ball 15 straight times, a true testament to the team’s ability, even in the rainy weather.
GVSU was dominant in every facet of the game and the score reflected this. At halftime, the Lakers led 28-3.
Over halftime, the rainy conditions only got worse. Before the second half kicked off, the student section was entirely rained out.
On the opening kickoff of the second half, senior Grant Hart recovered a Northern Michigan fumble on the return, and set up the Lakers on the Wildcats’ 13-yard line.
With the way GVSU was imposing the run, it came as no surprise they were able to punch it in with redshirt freshman Kenneth Jones. The Lakers were now up a staggering 35-3.
With just a minute left in the third quarter, Northern Michigan had their biggest play of the game. Wildcat Vince Martin scored a 70-yard rushing touchdown. This cut the Lakers’ lead down to 25 going into the fourth quarter.
Not even a minute into the fourth quarter, GVSU once again scored by running the ball. This made five different rushing scorers for the Lakers.
Just seconds later, freshman Isaiah Johnson stole the ball from the Wildcats’ quarterback, Aidan Hoard, and returned it for a touchdown.
“It’s great to see our defensive guys score,” said senior defensive back Kobe Hayward.
With the final score being 49-17, the Lakers would improve to 6-0 on the season.
The Lakers have a massive rivalry game next week on the road against Saginaw State University. Dubbed the “Battle of the Valleys,” the anticipated game will be on Saturday, Oct. 19.
